AMERICAN SAMOA COMMUNITY COLLEGE Connections Newsletter
ASCC CHIEFS Volume I: Issue 7 – May 2018 Institutional Updates:
Featured Highlights:
I. Institutional Updates a. Graduation Statistics b. Scholarship Recipients II. Academics: a. Graduation Banquet III. Community, Outreach & Research: a. Agriculture, Community and Natural Resources b. Samoan Studies Institute
ASCC Photo Gallery May Updates:
High School Business ASCC Spring 2018 Graduates Students Visit ASCC Political Science Banquet ASCC 68th Commencement BAOA Banquet ASCC Spring 2018 Graduation Spring 2018 Graduate Data Nurses Pinning Ceremony Associate of Arts Degree ASCC Graduate Banquet th Liberal Arts 41 Spring 2018 Commencement ASCC held its 68 Commencement Ceremony on Emphasis in Elementary th 7 ASCC Employee Luncheon Friday, May 18 , making the first-ever occasion of an Education Emphasis in Human Services 2 ASCC graduation taking place in the new Multi-Purpose Center (MPC). 132 graduates received their degrees and Emphasis in Political Science 2 Emphasis in Pre-Law 1 May Report Updates: certificates, along with an additional five ASCC alumni Associate of Science 1. ASG 2nd Quarter who were conferred with their advanced degrees from Accounting 11
Performance Report – off-island universities. Distinguished guests included Agribusiness 1 Business Management 5 Completed: Access Link members of the Board of Higher Education, the 2. Pacific Postsecondary Civil Engineering Technology 2 Education Council government and the community, and Rev. Iasepi Ulu of Criminal Justice 23 Electrical Technology 1 Biannual Update Report – the Fagatogo CCCAS was the presiding pastor for the Electronics 3 Completed: Access Link ceremony. For this historical occasion, High Chief and General Agriculture 7 Honorable Lieutenant Governor Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Health Science 9 Access to Internal Sialega Mauga gave the keynote speech. Prior to being Marine Science 2 Natural Resources 1 Reports: elected Lieutenant Governor, Lemanu has held many Nursing 1 1. May Divisional Bi- other leadership positions in both the American Samoa Certificate of Proficiency Weekly Reports: Access Government and the United States Armed Forces. Accounting 1 Link Electronics-Computer Systems 1 Practical Nursing 10 2. May Divisional Monthly For his keynote speech, Honorable Lieutenant Governor Reports: Access Link Bachelor of Education Lemanu asked the graduates to imagine their hard work Elementary Education 6 towards success in education as the figurative paying of ACCJC Access to: ASG Scholarship Recipients to an “aitalafu” or debt, one which cannot be repaid with Institutions of Higher Learning 1. Commission Actions: money, but rather with service to their family, Southern Utah University Access Link Accounting 3 community and government. Lemanu explained that 2. Commission Publications: English as a Second Language 1 Access Link education is the key to paying this “aitalafu,” and he Architectural Design 1 3. Commission shared a quote by former South African president Nelson University of Hawaii - Manoa Announcements: Access Civil Engineering 1 Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon, Biology 1 Link which you can use to change the world.” The full article University of Hawaii- West Oahu 4. Commission Events: can be viewed on the ASCC Website: at: Psychology 1 Access Link Portland State University http://amsamoa.edu/pressreleases/180521Commencement.html. Biology 1
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ASCC Connections Newsletter - 2 Graduation Banquet
th The spring 2018 Graduate Banquet took place on Wednesday, May 16 , at the Jade Restaurant, two days prior to the 68th ASCC Commencement Ceremony. Once again, the academic divisions of the College presented their respective
awards for outstanding scholastic achievement, and all graduates received a special certificate from the office of American Samoa’s Congresswoman Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen. The graduating class of spring 2018 was joined by members of the ASCC administration and faculty for a fun evening of celebration and fellowship. The full article can be viewed on the ASCC Website at: http://amsamoa.edu/pressreleases/170523Banquet.html.
ASCC Connections Newsletter - 3 Political Science Club
Business Ambassadors of ASCC (BAOA)
ASCC Connections Newsletter - 4 Workforce Professional Development for BlueSky Communications Staff
Computer Science Department chairman Ernie Seiuli (front, 2nd right) and Administrative Technician Officer Victor Ualesi (front, 2nd left), both from ASCC, lead a community training session for employees of BlueSky Communications. (Photo: J. Kneubuhl) The College offers a variety of professional development trainings, which range from technical instruction to workshops on best management practices. The most recent collaboration between ASCC and the private sector has been a series of workforce professional development trainings provided for staff members of BlueSky Communications and conducted by Mr. Ernie Seiuli, chairman of the College’s Computer Science Department. In consultation with BlueSky, Seiuli formulated the training to accommodate the specific needs of the company, covering computer application skills, such as Intermediate/Advanced Excel, and their effective use in the working environment. Trainees include staff from BlueSky’s customer service, marketing, finance, and administration departments. “Application of the course content will assist the trainees in many ways,” said Seiuli. “They will be able to effectively and expediently collect data, create real-time reports, and assist higher management with marketing, to give just a few examples.” With a number of different areas to cover, three separate training sessions were scheduled. The first commenced in early May, followed by a break before the second later in the month. The third session began in early June. Each session took place for three hours a day for a full week, in order to fulfill 15 contact hours, a standard established by ASCC for its professional development trainings. Each BlueSky employee who attended one or more of the trainings will receive a Certificate of Completion. The full article can be viewed on the ASCC Website at: http://amsamoa.edu/pressreleases/180607Bluesky.html .
Fine Arts - Art Sale:
In early May, the Fine Arts Department held a special one-day sale of artworks created during art classes from the previous few semesters. ASCC students, faculty and staff admired and/or purchased a variety of art made with clay, siapo bark cloth, paper, pastel and paint. A portion of the proceeds from the sale went towards the refurbishing of the Art Department building, which is currently not in use pending crucial repairs.
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AMERICAN SAMOA COMMUNITY COLLEGE Trades and Technical Department “Apprenticeship and Workforce Development (AWD)”
The Apprenticeship and Workforce Development program successfully concluded the spring 2018 session.
At the beginning of the spring 2018 session, 43 interested applicants registered for courses. Of the registrants, 33 successfully completed the courses.
During the sessions, the apprentices received 50 contact hours of related in-class instruction and demonstrations that compliments their on-the-job learning. Additionally, these classes deliver the technical, workforce, and academic competencies that apply to the job. This training can be provided by a community college, a technical school, or an apprenticeship training school – or by the business itself.
The next Apprenticeship and Workforce Development session is tentatively scheduled for fall 2018.
ASCC Connections Newsletter - 6 Teacher Education Department
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American Samoa Bachelors in Education Program (ASBEP) – Spring 2018 Graduates: Mrs. Nancy Tuigamala, 1 Mrs. Danielle Aina, Ms. Nathadia Moea’i, Mr. Mekelian Tia, Mrs. Kristina Maui’a, Ms. Sinalua Lago.
ASBEP Student Teaching Culminating Events: Mrs. Danielle Aina’s culminating event theme was “All in the Community”. Her culminating event was a 2 compilation presentation based on knowledge gained during her four weeks with students. She is a K-5 teacher at Lauli’i Elementary School. Ms. Sinalua Lago’s culminating event theme was “Freedom Writers”. The students integrated English, 3 Drama, Writing, Samoan and Music throughout their presentation. She is a 7th grade teacher at Pavaia’i Elementary School. Mrs. Kristina Maui’a chose her culminating event theme as “Guardians of the Galaxy”. Her talented 4 fourth graders had choral reading, plays, board presentation as well as video presentation to present to the audience. We were blessed to have Mrs. Diana Amperosa as well as Mrs. Puna Tanielu present for the event.
Outreach:
5 Leone High School Senior Outreach: Ms. Moresa Langkilde and Ms. Saili presented to some seniors and teachers that were interested in B.Ed. program. 6 St. Theresa Outreach for Teachers: Met with teachers and staff of St. Theresa for recruiting purposes.
Recruiting/Appreciation Wave for Teachers: Lumana’i Educators Club and TED students participated in a wave 7 to appreciate our Teachers. Later that day, the LEA club presented gifts to appreciate their TED Faculty and Staff.
ASCC Connections Newsletter - 7 Agriculture, Community and Natural Resources (ACNR):
Instructional Programs:
ACNR Spring 2018 Graduates.
ACNR Spring 2018 Graduates (Standing L-R): Tafaifoe Vagaia, Malia Talia, Meghan Shimasaki, Imeleta Luamanu, Anastasia Magalo, Tapunu’u Matai. (First Row L-R): Puaolele Taisau, Michelle Paletaleo, Esau Levaula (not pictured: John Faleafine).
ACNR Students, Faculty, and Staff Extension Site Visit to Samoa: ACNR students, faculty and staff recently traveled to Samoa on a weeklong trip to visit various agriculture sites, businesses and government offices in Savaii and Upolu. While on the trip, students were able to learn more about the different fields of agriculture, community and natural resources from professionals and experts in Samoa. They also gained valuable hands-on learning experiences.
ACNR students, faculty and staff visit the Vaisala Cocoa Farm in Vaisala, Savaii – owned by Samoan businessman Vaai Kolone. Pictured with the students and staff is Mr. Isa’ako (left with green shirt) who is the manager for the Vaisala Oil production company.
ASCC Connections Newsletter - 8 Research:
Produce Safety Training for American Samoa’s Chinese-Speaking Farmers: In an effort to educate our
local farmers about good agricultural and good handling practices that will improve produce safety, ASCC- ACNR has produced a training manual for farmers entitled ‘American Samoa Produce Safety Training’. This training manual covers conditions and practices in American Samoa that need to be addressed to promote the production, harvesting, storage and distribution of produce in a safe manner. The manual has just been translate d into Vietnamese and now into simplified Chinese. It is in the process of being translated into Samoan and will be used as part of an effort to educate all of our local fruit and vegetable farmers on the methods and importance of produce safety.
Image of the American Samoa Produce Safety Training manual title page translated
in Chinese.
Delicious Vegetables That Grow Great in American Samoa: In an effort to identify vegetable crops and varieties that grow well in American Samoan conditions, ASCC-ACNR Horticulture Research conducts vegetable variety trials and demonstrations. Recently a demonstration of five hot pepper varieties from Green Seeds Inc. was conducted. The variety below (Megasun) grows well in American Samoa’s climate and conditions, and is a good producer of mildly hot, four-inch long light green chili peppers. When the seeds are removed and the pepper is sliced length wise and added into a stir-fry, stew or curry, it adds a refreshingly mild chili flavor.
Megasun is tolerant to heat, and has good disease resistance. It is an ideal pepper variety for American Samoa.
ASCC Connections Newsletter - 9 ACNR and AS Department of Agriculture Collaborate on Pest Ants and Tree-Killing Beetles Detection Surveys in Manu’a: Pesky ants are a great annoyance, whether it’s the tropical fire ants stinging your feet in the garden or the tiny ghost ants that invade our homes and spoil our food. Virtually all of these pest ants are species that were accidentally introduced to American Samoa. If we can detect introductions of new pests early, then we may be able to stop them before they spread and become established. ASCC ACNR and the American Samoa Department of Agriculture Quarantine Division continue to work together under the federally funded Cooperative Agriculture Pest Survey program to conduct detection surveys for potential pests. In May, the team traveled to Manu’a to conduct the ant detection survey and to place traps for the ambrosia beetle survey, another pest detection survey, which is funded by the U.S. Forest Service. Fortunately no new ants were found this time. The team will retrieve the beetle traps in June.
ACNR Entomology Technician Niela Leifi setting a trap to detect tree-killin g ambrosia beetles at Faleasao.
Darius Mutini of the Department of Agriculture Quarantine Division deploys ant detection bait stations in Ta’u village, while ACNR Entomology Technician Niela Leifi records coordinates of each station.
ASCC Connections Newsletter - 10 Extension
Nuuuli Watershed Restoration: The ASCC-ACNR Forestry Program hosted its first Landscape Scale Restoration th th project in the village of Nu’uuli on May 19 and May 26 . The focus of this project was to restore the Nu’uuli Watersheds through stream debris removal, native tree planting, and conservation education efforts. Youth groups from the Nu’uuli Catholic, CCCAS, Methodist, and Nazarene churches participated in this event, adding up to a total
of 237 youth participants. Environmental agency partners such as the AS-EPA, DMWR, CRAG, and AS-NPS also participated. The Reverends from each church along with the partnered agencies were of great assistance in the project’s success. A total of 2.5 tons of debris were collected from the streams and a total of eight Malili trees and 25 Vetiver grass plugs were planted for controlling soil eroded slopes along the stream corridors and stream banks.
The ASCC-ACNR Forestry Program would like to specially acknowledge a few very important individuals who participated in and supported this event: the President of the American Samoa Community College, Dr. Rosevonne Makaiwi -Pato, the Director of the American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency Mr. Ameko Pato, the Director of the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources Mr. Va’amua Henry Sesepasara, and the Superintendent of the American Samoa National Park Service Mr. Scott Burch. The ASCC-ACNR Forestry Program extends its “Fa’afetai
Tele Lava” to all those who participated in the Nu’uuli Watershed restoration event.
Youth group participant carrying debris found in the stream during the cleanup.
Volunteer removing trash from the stream.
ASCC Connections Newsletter - 11 Pesticide Safety Training Course: The ASCC-ACNR Agriculture Extension Program (AEP), in collaboration with Environmental Protection Agency conducted a Pesticide Safety Training Course from May 21 - May 25. During the four-day training course, six participants learned about the safe and effective use of pesticides, integrated pest management, worker protection, environmental quality, and agricultural health.
AEP Manager Autagavaia Tunai Alfred Peters explains hazardous pesticide exposure methods during the May Pesticide Safety Training Course held at the ACNR Conference Room.
ACNR at 2018 STEM Summit: More than 15 ACNR staff participated in the 2018 STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) Summit held at the Samoana High School Gym on May 5. This year’s STEM. summit theme is “Preparing our Learners & Empowering our Future Leaders”. The summit was organized and hosted by the American Samoa STEM Partners, a partnership among educators, professionals,
businesses and community leaders. The purpose of the summit was to help support student success and to
ensure that all students are STEM literate, STEM College, STEM Career and STEM Trades ready. According
to one of the FEMA administrators who assisted with the GITA Recovery efforts, the joy, fun and enthusiasm
displayed by the youth is symbolic of community resilience.
ACNR and 20 partners provided workshops, educational competitions, informational booths, and hands-on activities to the 400 plus youth and 50 parents of American Samoa. ACNR conducted six workshops and activities for the STEM summit.
Workshops and activities included: GIS Mapping workshop Food Safety and Demo Entomology: Butterfly Poster and hands-on activity Agriculture: Livestock hands-on activity 4-H LEGO Building hands-on activity 4-H Math Challenge: Know Your “X” Tables
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Youth participants construct simple machines at the 4-H Lego Building activity table.
Progressive Agriculture Safety Day: The Agriculture Extension Program successfully conducted two Progressive Agriculture Safety Day events at Pago Pago Elementary School and Midkiff Elementary School. Over 350 students, 16 teachers and six school staff in attendance learned valuable safety lessons regarding farm equipment and tools safety, pesticide and chemical safety, and food safety. With the acquired knowledge, participants will be able to avoid hazardous situations and apply what they learned by helping others become aware of proper safety practices in the mentioned areas.
AEP staff Su’esu’e Alopopo explaining safe use practices for tools to students.
ASCC Connections Newsletter - 13 Samoan Studies Institute (SSI)
E iloa oe i lau gagana. You are defined by your language.
Per request from TAPUTIMU EFKSA OLA FOU YOUTH Samoan Studies Institute conducted the first phase of their outreach program (5/8-5/23/2018) to teach Samoan language and writing classes with the goal of producing a booklet of student writings. This not only sees youth take a vital role in promoting language but also meets the mission of ASCC and Samoan Studies Institute in promoting awareness of
Samoa. Students were introduced to Samoan Language basics as well as Oral and Written Literature in the
Samoan language. Students were introduced to the variety of traditional genres such as fagogo and tagi
(bedtime stories and accompanying chants), faleaitu (theatrical arts), pese (songs), tupua (riddles), lauga
(oratory), alagaupu (proverbial sayings), tini (wedding chants for tausala and manaia), sula (praising fine
mats) etc. Due to time constraints, however, the focus was on poetry, monologues, writing and
interviewing the older members of the church family.
The second phase of the project is now in progress where formatting, editing is taking place before the
final product is edited and presented back to the EFKSA Ola Fou Youth at Taputimu under the leadership of Rev. Faatauao Feleti and Faletua Faasili Feleti. The booklet includes poetry, samples of monologues us ing biblical characters, and stories written by the different classes (Vasega Laiti, Vasega Matutua and Vasega Matutua Faapitoa and the church family in general).
Taputimu EFKSA Ola Fou Youth
ASCC Connections Newsletter - 14 A ou faamatalaina lo’u tina o le tusiina o le āfa i le atoaga o lona malosi, poo le a’ea’e ifoifo o lanu o le nuanua "To describe my mother would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power. Or the climbing, falling colors of a rainbow”. Maya Angelou.
Per invitation, the Students Association for Faasamoa joined forces with Loso South Seas Revue in entertaining
mothers at a Special Dinner for Mother’s Day at the Maliu Mai Resort.
Students Association for Faasamoa and Loso South Seas after their performance.
Students Association for Faasamoa during one of their performance.
A e siva mai, ou te aiuli atu. A e faafetai mai ou te faaaloalo atu. If you dance, I will be dancing behind you; if you salute, I will acknowledge your salutation. The ASCC President and members of the President’s Advisory Committee on behalf of the College hosted a thank you dinner for SSI and SAFF. The SSI Director, faculty, staff and students who played roles with Pese of Fu’a received certificates of appreciations and gifts. With humility, the SSI presented to the President and PAC members gifts from “tagi i lima” (elei materials, fala lilii, personalized quilt).
ASCC Connections Newsletter - 15 E lē folo molemolea lau faaaloalo. I will not accept your respectable actions without proper acknowledgement.
Final presentations for Introduction to Samoan Culture Course (SAM 152) in which students performed folafola sua, folafola toonai, sula toga and ailao.
Galuega Faaliliu o lenei Masina. Translation jobs for this month.
The SSI translation team translated to Samoa language a questionnaire for a medical research by a LBJ Medical Doctor about Diabetes Type 2. Also, a questionnaire on Colorectal Cancer by the organization INSPIRE. We would like to share with Connections how the SSI determines the most appropriate Samoan name for a program. 1. Research a. From the Sec. 1385.3 of the Developmental Disabilities Rights and Assistance Act of 2000 (Public Law
106-402) The term “developmental disability” means “a severe, chronic disability of an individual 5 years of age or older…” for several reasons.
2. Discussion a. Ofisa Tutotonu o le Iunivesite mo se Tulaga Maoa‘e i Manaoga Faapitoa Tugā. b. Ofisa Tutotonu o le Iunivesite mo se Tulaga Maoa‘e i le Mana‘oga faapitoa tau tuputupu a‘e. c. Ofisa Tutotonu o le Iunivesite mo se Tulaga Maoa‘e i Manaoga Faapitoa (minus the “development”). d. Ofisa Tutotonu o le Iunivesite mo se Tulaga Maoa‘e i le Olatu‘ia Faa‘umi‘umi –chronic disability. e. Ofisa tutotonu o le Iunivesete mo Auaunaga maoti tau/ mo manaoga faapitoa.
3. Final Choices for the Name: University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. a. Ofisa Tutotonu o le Iunivesite mo se Tulaga Maoa‘e i Manaoga Faapitoa (translation based on Name). b. Ofisa tutotonu o le Iunivesete mo Auaunaga tau manaoga faapitoa (translation Based on Function).
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